How do you test whether or not the mineral oil & castor oil has fully polymerized, while making Felix’s World Famous Lube?
I stirred one batch at 300F for 30 minutes, but the two oils separated. Then I added stearic acid (accidental FWWFL version) and heated repeatedly. At room temperature, it is nearly one color and applesauce in consistency. When heated, it separates into two oils. If I stir it when heated, it will remain mixed. I only see the two colors when it is cooling down, but not yet apple sauce (grease?).
I stirred a second batch (1/2 cup mineral oil & 1/4 cup castor oil) for 90 minutes at about 320F (minimal fumes emitting from the pot). I have not added anything to this two oil mixture. It has cooled down now, but I see two different oils. The mineral oil is very cloudy - not clear as it was in the bottle. The castor oil portion is also cloudy, but still the same color as in the bottle.
Note: I am using a laser thermometer. The emissivity value was set empirically, and temperatures may be off 10-ish degrees.
Does the cloudiness indicate polymerization?